Latvia (and the other Baltic Countries)The New Human Interest Library
published by Midland Press, Chicago, 1928

FINLAND

ETWEEN Russia and the Scandinavian peninsula lies the largest of the Baltic States, Finland, often called "the land of a thousand lakes." The Finns, or Suomalaiset, once lived on the great Russian plains, and Finnish tribes still live along the Volga River. In the early centuries of the Christian era the Finns moved northward and in Suomenmaa, "land of lakes and marshes," they settled down and lived as an independent people until the twelfth century. After three vigorous crusades Sweden conquered them and they turned from paganism to Christianity and the Swedish culture. Their language has remained Finnish, though almost all other early racial characteristics have disappeared.

AN OLD PEASANT FARMER More than sixty-five per cent of the people of Finland are engaged in agriculture.

In 1809 Sweden lost Finland to Russia. The Finns so stubbornly resisted the new rule that Russia, to avoid trouble, did not annex them but left them under their own constitution with the Czar as Grand Duke of Finland. During this separation from Sweden the Finns developed a national spirit which was further strengthened when, in the nineteenth century, an attempt was made to Russianize the Baltic States. Infuriated by the stubborn, passive resistance of Finland, Russia took brutal measures to enforce her laws.

The World War came and Finland, like the other Baltic States, secured her freedom. She announced her independence in 1918 and is now a republic with a president, who is elected for six years, and a single legislative body of 200 members, elected by universal suffrage.

Agriculture is the chief occupation. Because the land and climate produce good forage crops, dairying and cattleraising are particularly successful. As early as the Middle Ages butter was exported from Finland. Government help and a well-developed cooperative movement are great aids to the farmers. There are dense forests and, as the government has made very wise laws about lumbering and reforestation, Finland's supply of lumber will never be in danger. The largest manufacturing industries are those connected with lumber and forest products, such as the making of wood pulp, paper, furniture and tools.

SINGING THE KALEVALA These two Finns are singing the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland. While singing they swing their bodies backward and forward. Often the singers sit facing each other astride the same bench instead of on opposite benches. It is customary to sing many poetical folk tales in this fashion.

Other natural resources of the country are iron ore, copper and granite, particularly the deep black, gray and red granites so much in demand for architectural work. The lakes and falls, especially Imatra, "the Niagara of Finland," are a source of power, the development of which is stimulating the building of spinning and weaving mills, paper mills, and linen factories to such an extent that manufacturing almost rivals agriculture in importance.

Helsingfors, the capital and largest city, is picturesquely situated on a peninsula which juts out into the Gulf of Finland. It is a progressive city, not unlike Kansas City or Minneapolis in appearance. It is the seat of the leading university. Two other universities ape located at Abo. Tammerfors is the principal manufacturing city.

SOME NOTED MEN OF FINLAND

The Kalevala, the national epic of Finland, was compiled and published in 1835 by Elias Linerot who, together with other members of the faculty of the University of Helsingfops, collected the ancient legends and tales handed down through the ages by the peasants as they sat before the fire telling the hero-tales of the race. From the Kalevala Longfellow obtained the meter which he used in writing Hiawatha.

PAAVO NURMI Winner of 5,000 meter race.

Painters and sculptors are many, and architecture is very well developed. The first great Finnish painter was Albert Edelfelt. Axel GallenKallela was an artist who devoted most of his life to illustrating the Kalevala. Eliel Saarinen, one of their great modern architects, has adopted America as his home and has brought new ideas that are helping to beautify our country's buildings and cities.

To the music world Finland gave the great composer, Jean Sibelius, whose work is known and appreciated by musicians everywhere. On his sixtieth birthday Sibelius was pensioned by the government so that he might devote all of his time to his art.

When you read about the mountain laurel and find that its scientific name is Kalmia latifolia, you may like to know that Kalmia comes from the name of Peter Kalm, a Finnish professor and scientist. In the eighteenth century Peter Kalm made the first scientific study of American plants and animals, and published a book about his trip to North America which is still held of value in studying about early American life.

In 1925 Paavo Nurmi, the fleet runner of Finland, came to the United States and broke more than thirty world records. He thus stamped himself as the most remarkable runner of all time. Finland's athletes have generally ranked very high in the world contests at the modern Olympic Games.

HAYMAKERS COMING HOME The climate of Finland is especially favorable for hay production and large forage crops are the result. Consequently, cattle-raising and dairy-farming are leading industries.